Although Hornets owner Michael Jordan signed off on the decision to fire former head coach James Borrego, a source told Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer that president of basketball operations and general manager Mitch Kupchak was the driving force behind the move.
An embarrassing 29-point play-in tournament loss to Atlanta after suffering a 27-point defeat to Indiana in last season’s play-in was one reason Kupchak decided to move on from Borrego, according to Boone. The team’s poor defense — Charlotte was ranked 22nd in the regular season and gave up 132 points to Atlanta — was another.
The players also weren’t receptive to Borrego’s messages of late, per Boone, which was likely another factor that Kupchak considered before making his judgment.
The move stunned many people around the league, including an NBA agent who represents a Hornets player.
“I’m shocked,” the agent told Boone. “I’m kind of surprised. I thought he did a good job.”
Here’s more on the Hornets:
- League sources told Boone that all of the assistant coaches who worked under Borrego will remain on staff until the new head coach is hired, and the new hire will determine whether to retain them or not.
- It’s clear that Charlotte no longer accepts losing after relieving its coach, and at minimum a playoff berth should be expected going forward. With that in mind, Matthew Stephens of The Charlotte Observer explores a few potential candidates for the opening, including former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel.
- Borrego’s firing is the latest example of Jordan’s failing as an owner, argues Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer. Since Jordan became a minority partner in 2006, he has had final say in the team’s basketball operations. In that 16 year-span, the Hornets have won zero playoff series, and only made it to the postseason three times, Fowler notes.
“Since Jordan became a minority partner in 2006, he’s had final say in the team’s basketball operations. In that 16 year-span, the Hornets have won zero playoff series, and only made it to the postseason three teams, Fowler notes.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The hornets job is attractive with some good young talent on the roster
MJ a GOAT on the court but a Dolt behind the desk
How you expect to win when you have a injury prone sf and no real starting center
You make a good point that is being vastly overlooked. The defense was poor because they lacked an interior presence, and Borrego didn’t construct the roster.
The Hornet problems of center and Heyward’s contract get much mention.
People peg them drafting the Duke center, but typically do not credit or blame Borrego.
Trade for Rudy Gobert!
Biggest need for this team rim protection and he’s the best rim protector in the league. According to reports your more than willing to make a trade and sending Gordan Hayward back to Utah could be a great start. Utah would probably love to have Hayward back and value him more than others.
Then to sweeten the deal you have a bunch of young players you could offer James Bouknight, PJ Washington and Kai Jones.
You also have two first round picks this year thanks to the Pelicans making the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Jazz don’t have any picks in the draft and would also take value in getting a first round pick this year not just a future first.
The deal:
Rudy Gobert for Gordan Hayward, PJ Washington and the #15th pick in the draft this year and a future second round pick.
Hornets then have 3 starters locked in for next season with LaMelo, Bridges and Rudy. Around them you have Rozier, Bouknight, Oubre, McDaniels and Plumblee, plus the number 13 pick in the draft plus whatever FA signings and/or trades you make.
Hornets make the playoffs with that core. Gobert can single handily transform the defence from 22nd in the league to near the top 10. He would also thrive offensively catch lobs from LaMelo something he doesn’t get it Utah. It would also help being in the east going up against Embiid, Bam, Giannis, Vuce, KP etc to have an inside presence for a change.
Just to go another couple steps further with it.
Trade Terry Rozier for Evan Fouriner and a second round pick.
Fouriner and Gobert the French boys link up. Bet that brings the best out of them.
Knicks get a starting point guard in Rozier cause I bet they don’t end up with Brunson and won’t want Russ. The extra second round pick from the deal helps complete the Gobert deal.
At 13 in the draft get Tari Eason or Kendall Brown and with the second round pick take JD Davidson.
In FA let IT and Harrell leave, bring in Delon Wright and Bembry (from Charlotte) and give Harry Giles the vets min (from North Carolina).
Hornets line up
1. LaMelo. Wright. Davidson
2. Fouriner. Bouknight
3. Eason/Brown. Oubre. Bembry
4. Bridges. Jones. Thor
5. Gobert. Plumblee. Giles
I’d say after the Heat/Sixers/Bucks/Celtics/Nets at the top of the east. These guys would be right behind them competing with the Bulls for that more comfortable 6th seed and no play in games.
Borrego wanted to be a cool guy to the team, he instilled no discipline, not sayin coaches have to go full thibs but Charlotte was just lazy and made foolish below their talent level errors too much
Mike D’Antoni could be a good fit on this team. Frank Vogel did a terrible job utilizing the talent he was given in LA, I would be a little surprised to see him coaching anytime soon.
Lol. He won a championship
Local writer in link:
“There were times, too, recently when Borrego’s messages weren’t always getting through to his players… Kupchak likely picked up on that…”
So no proof offered, just a “likely”. I can do that, but the beat writer should have examples. Indirect examples are that in the several big games at season’s end, they got blown out.
Hard to guess at the whys.
So the spoiled brats didn’t listen to their coach and it’s his fault? Getting tired of this “player’s league” where discipline and teamwork are curse words. A coach cannot instill discipline extrinsically any more than an alchemist can turn rust into gold.
Players need to accept responsibility for losing. Recent Bulls blowouts in the Bucks series showed similar lack of drive amongst the younger players. The recent generation of players seems to lack competitive fire in general.
I’m stunned you didn’t work in a “Back in my day” there.
IDK if that’s the case… parx speculated the opposite, that he tried to hard to be cool.
I would like a surer “why”.
Borrego was not really failing! It may have been a case of, he did what he can do already, and had no more answers.
A defensive oriented coach and it will be a old school coach better like Jeff Vangundy. Todays coach are too much offensive and nothing of defense.